The Effect of Wind Speed on Voltage Generated; Using An RC Aircraft's Propeller as a Generator
School Name
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
Grade Level
9th Grade
Presentation Topic
Engineering
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
This experiment was designed to test the amount of voltage generated by a propeller in varying wind speed, in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of remote control aircraft crashes resulting from loss of battery power. First, a wind tunnel was constructed out of cardboard. Next, an RC aircraft motor was placed inside the testing chamber on a stand. Wind was generated using three box fans and a leaf blower, and the wind speed was measured using an anemometer. The motor was started by a 9 volt battery, then disconnected and hooked up to an electrical multimeter. The data was recorded into data tables. The experiment was conducted three times with both the leaf blower and box fans, and three times without the leaf blower to have variations in wind speed. A separate test was performed with the motor connected to a 1 farad capacitor. An attempt was made to run the motor off of the voltage stored in the capacitor. Results showed that the motor would not turn below a certain wind speed, and, more volts are generated at a higher wind speed. When the motor was connected to the capacitor, it wasn't able to make a single rotation. In conclusion, the windmilling propeller driven motor generated current and voltage; however the current likely will not produce a sufficient amount of power to be practical to power RC aircraft
Recommended Citation
Sawyer, Aaron and Willhide, Aidan, "The Effect of Wind Speed on Voltage Generated; Using An RC Aircraft's Propeller as a Generator" (2019). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 254.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2019/all/254
Location
Founders Hall 222 B
Start Date
3-30-2019 11:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
Yes
The Effect of Wind Speed on Voltage Generated; Using An RC Aircraft's Propeller as a Generator
Founders Hall 222 B
This experiment was designed to test the amount of voltage generated by a propeller in varying wind speed, in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of remote control aircraft crashes resulting from loss of battery power. First, a wind tunnel was constructed out of cardboard. Next, an RC aircraft motor was placed inside the testing chamber on a stand. Wind was generated using three box fans and a leaf blower, and the wind speed was measured using an anemometer. The motor was started by a 9 volt battery, then disconnected and hooked up to an electrical multimeter. The data was recorded into data tables. The experiment was conducted three times with both the leaf blower and box fans, and three times without the leaf blower to have variations in wind speed. A separate test was performed with the motor connected to a 1 farad capacitor. An attempt was made to run the motor off of the voltage stored in the capacitor. Results showed that the motor would not turn below a certain wind speed, and, more volts are generated at a higher wind speed. When the motor was connected to the capacitor, it wasn't able to make a single rotation. In conclusion, the windmilling propeller driven motor generated current and voltage; however the current likely will not produce a sufficient amount of power to be practical to power RC aircraft
